ORMOC CITY — A suspected street-level drug peddler previously arrested for a drug-related offense was again caught by authorities during a buy-bust operation that led to the seizure of eight sachets of suspected shabu in Barangay Balud early Friday morning, May 29.
Lt.Col. Florentino Almayda Jr., assistant chief of the Special Operations Unit 8 (SOU-8) of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), identified the suspect only by his alias “Osmoy,” 46, a resident of Barangay Balud, Calbayog City.
According to the PDEG, the suspect is listed as a street-level individual in the drug watchlist and had previously been arrested during the implementation of a search warrant on October 30, 2024, for the same offense.
Operatives conducted the buy-bust operation at around 12:23 a.m., resulting in the suspect’s arrest after allegedly selling a sachet containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu to an undercover operative for P500.
A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of required witnesses, led to the recovery of a cigarette pack containing seven additional sachets of suspected shabu. Authorities also recovered the marked P500 bill used in the operation, bearing serial number AC9822979, as well as a blue Vivo mobile phone.
Police said the suspect was immediately informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.
Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect is currently detained at the Calbayog City Police Station custodial facility pending further legal proceedings.
Authorities said the operation forms part of the continuing campaign against illegal drugs and the apprehension of individuals involved in the distribution of prohibited substances in the city.
(ROBERT DEJON)
